Spider rigging, slow trolling, pushing, dragging, or whatever you might call it, consists of putting multiple poles, commonly 8, in rod racks and fanning them out 180 degrees on the bow of the boat while pushing baits and keeping the main lines near vertical. A precisely controlled drift, utilizing chains or wind socks drug from the back of the boat, or running an electric trolling motor at extremely low speeds is how anglers maintain the most important element of this tactic, boat control. In most situations, 0.3 mph is the ideal speed, hence the term slow-trolling. The most common terminal tackle is a double-hook minnow rig, with the dominant bait being live minnows.

Why it works

When crappie are far away from the visible structure and shallow banks they frequent during the spawn, the most effective method to entice these tasty panfish is slowly pushing multiple baits across a wide swath through likely areas. Prespawn crappie stage just out from spawning areas. Post-spawn crappie become nomadic and lethargic and cruise back to deeper waters. Fall and winter crappie school up and stalk baitfish in open water and submerged cover. The most effective way to consistently catch all of these fish is spider rigging.

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